When we reached out to our Harlequin authors, asking them to share their #HarlequinMoments, Harlequin Historical author Nicole Locke was moved to send in this beautiful post that we simply had to share.
Do I have a #HarlequinMoment? Yes, too many to count. My grandmother and I loved them. Late into the night we’d lay in her bed and happily read them until the next day.
Sometimes we’d discuss them. There was one discussion of a book that stayed in my mind. It was about a heroine with a disfigurement. You have to remember this was the time when Harlequin Heroines were plucky and perfect and the Heroes were arrogant and more perfect. There were no flaws, ever. Did my grandmother and I accept such an aberration? We loved it.
I didn’t keep that book, but I did keep the memory of the discussion. As the years went by, I forgot the name of the author and the title. I could only recall it was a Harlequin Presents, could vaguely recollect the cover with the image of a blonde haired woman and for some reason, with certainty, I knew the name of the heroine: Amber.
My grandmother died, but her love of reading Harlequin books lives on strongly in me. All through university, having a career, marriage and raising my children, I stayed up late and read Harlequin romances.
Through all those years, I remembered those chats with my grandmother, and that book with a disfigured heroine. So year after year, I trolled bookstores. I scoured through thousands of perfectly white Harlequin Presents. I hoped to see a cover I vaguely remembered; pined to read a back blurb announcing a plucky heroine called Amber.
When the internet arrived, I trolled there, too. Nothing. Never. I was certain that book was lost to me.
As you may guess, my love of reading Harlequin romance turned into writing romance books. On June 25, 2014, I received The Call from Harlequin Historical editor, Linda Fildew, who read the manuscript to The Knight’s Broken Promise. On July 1st, I received my first contract.
Abject excitement; a lifelong dream come true. Yet, it was flawed. The dream had one regret, one wish. I wished my grandmother knew so I could share the joy with her.
Then on July 7, 2014, I did. I found that book.
Was it because the internet search engines had gotten a bit better? I’ll never believe that. When I plugged my vague recollection into the computer and saw that Harlequin book on the screen, I knew it was grandmother telling me how proud she was of me.
That book was The Flawed Marriage by Penny Jordan dated March 1, 1983. I saw the cover; I read the blurb and cried.
I couldn’t write this #HarlequinMoment without crying either. I also couldn’t write it without making just one more wish. I wish my grandmother and I could stay up until tomorrow reading another romance. Since June 1st is my third book’s release for Harlequin, I wish it could be mine.
Connect with Nicole on her blog, Twitter, and find her newest release, The Highland Laird’s Bride, here!
9 replies on “My #HarlequinMoment by Nicole Locke”
What wonderful memories Nicole! I’m so glad you found that original book! I too remember reading my grandmother’s Harlequin’s Presents by the boxful at her cottage. She’d bring up a whole years worth, knowing her granddaughters were coming for our summer holiday. I’d read them even by flashlight under the covers in the screened in porch. We loved the same heroines. She also loved and saved all her Georgette Heyer books for me. Congratulations on your third book and I’m sure your grandmother is very proud of your success!
What a lovely story Nicole, thank you for sharing.
Awesome! Love this story. So precious. So glad you found the original book that meant so much.
What a beautiful memory to cherish. And to find that one book you remembered. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story.
Lorraine
What a lovely story, Nicole. Penny would have been so touched to have heard it
I loved this memory, Nicole! So heartfelt and touching! I know you treasure it.
This was such a beautiful story Nicole, I had to get out the Kleenex!
That’s so awesome. They say if you finD money it is from relatives. Keep a
look out for coins in weird places. I find dimes, pennies, never anything else. My relatives find quarters. I get jipped. Lol. I one time found a dime in the back garden and in the front garden. Same day. You kind of found money. The authors name is Penny. I’m so glad you found the book. I can’t believe you found it by just writing a little blurb. Seven is lucky I think. July is seven and the date was seven. That’s so neat. Thanks for sharing.
Awe. You made me cry. What a great story. I love that you found the book after all these years.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!